The Bible is full of promises that speak to the restoration and hope we find in God, even when our sinfulness has caused the trouble. We see one such promise in Hosea 2:15. After God brings Israel low for their transgressions, he says, “And there I will give her her vineyards and make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. And there she shall answer as in the days of her youth, as at the time when she came out of the land of Egypt.”
What does it mean for the Valley of Achor to be a door of hope? Historically, after wandering in the desert for 40 years, the Israelites first settled in the Valley of Achor when they entered the Promised Land. Some commentators suggest that this passage indicates a return from wilderness to a choice land.
However, it’s essential to remember that Achor means “trouble.” The Israelites experienced defeat at Ai in this valley because of sin in their camp. Achan kept some of the spoils for himself and was stoned to death as a result. It was literally a valley of trouble. The hope Israel experienced in this valley of trouble is that after the sin received its just punishment, the Lord continued to cause his face to shine upon them.
The Lord often brings believers through their own valleys of trouble, especially when we wander from his ways. These times can seem dark and terrifying, making us feel alone and scared. Yet, in these moments, God most tenderly calls us back home. It’s a voice we may not have heard in a long time, revealing that this valley of trouble is a door of hope.
Hosea 6:1 encourages us with, “Come, let us return to the LORD; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up.” This passage reassures us that our hardships are not the end. Instead, they are a part of the process God uses to bring us back to Him. The reason the Lord can cause his face to shine on sinners like us, even in discipline, is because our sin has received its just penalty in Jesus on the cross.
Through these experiences, we find ourselves in a much better place than before. Through the hardship, we come to understand the futility of the world and realize that true satisfaction comes from Christ alone.
God promises to restore us spiritually when we fall. This restoration is like receiving choice fruits once again after a long famine. Hence, the reference to giving us back our vineyards (Hosea 2:15). Imagine the sweetness of those grapes, representing the joy and satisfaction that comes from being in communion with God. He promises to give us back those choice grapes and to let the wine of His Spirit fill us with joy when we look to him.
Even when it is God who troubles us, he is opening a door of hope. This hope is not based on our worthiness but on God’s unchanging love and faithfulness. So, if you have been wandering from your Lord by seeking your hope in the things of the world, they will lead you to a desert land. Return to the Lord, trusting He will restore you and fill you with His Spirit, turning your valleys of trouble into doors of hope.
-D. Eaton
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